Every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost ‹ Proverb ‹ Proverb Hunter Home • Proverbs • E • Every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost Every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost This is a doctrine of self-preservation, which is said to be the first law of nature. As the French say, ‘Sauve qui peut’ (‘Save himself who can’). The phrase ‘the devil take the hindmost’ means ‘bad luck on the one who is last’. See also: What Does "Every Man for Himself" Mean? (with pictures) Hobbies What Does "Every Man for Himself" Mean? Last Modified Date: 21 December 2016 Copyright Protected: 10 most extreme places on Earth The phrase “every man for himself” is used when people are trying to save themselves without consideration for others. It is a fragment of a larger medieval proverb from England.

Dating from around the 16th century, the proverb, according to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), said that it was “Every man for himself and the Devil take the hindmost.” This term has come to be used in situations where there is danger, but also hope of salvation. It comes with a notion that helping other people will lead to everyone, or at least the individual, also being caught. The idea can be applied to criminals trying to escape the police, after, for example, a bank robbery. By invoking the idea, the fleeing individuals hope that someone else will be caught and they will survive. In this sense, it is akin to the joke where a person does not need to outrun a bear in the woods, he only needs to outrun his friends. Ad The origin of such an idea or phrase probably pre-dates the 16th century proverb. The resolution of most ancient, medieval and early modern battles ended with one army fleeing and the other trying to run them down. In turn, this is deeply linked to the Greek hoplites and the Anglo-Saxon shield wall. During the battle, as both shield walls push against the other, it is a team or group effort, but everything changes once one side breaks.

“Every man for himself” in this sense is the fleeing men trying to save their lives as the victorious army runs down the losers. Various types of media have used the proverb as a title, including a Beryl Bainbridge novel. It is also the title of an album by Hoobastank. Jean-Luc Godard used the title for his 1980 film about love and it was the title of a short film from 1924. It was also the title of the fourth episode of season three of “Lost.” Media pundits on television and in the newspapers have also used “every man for himself” as a term for extreme libertarianism in America. This includes the policies of such politicians as Ron Paul of the Republican Party. Believers in a minimalist government range from Republican right-wingers to anarchist-communists. Most disagree about how much influence a minimalist government should maintain, but some believe it should be zero. Ad Every man for himself - Idioms by The Free Dictionary Every man for himself - Idioms by The Free Dictionary Related to every man for himself: get on in the world Every man for himself (and the devil take the hindmost), and Devil take the hindmost Prov.

Everyone has to fight for his or her own survival. (You can use this to describe an extremely competitive situation.) At first we tried to help each other study for the exam, but soon it was every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost. The inventors tried to collaborate, agreeing to share the profits from their invention, but they grew so suspicious of each other that each began to work separately, and devil take the hindmost. When the ship began to sink, it was every man for himself. Proverbs - 16th Century English The age of miracles is past. -late 16th All cats are grey in the dark. -mid 16th All is fish that comes to the net. -early 16th All things come to those who wait. -early 16th An ape's an ape, a varlet's a varlet, though they be clad in silk or scarlet. -mid 16th; 2nd century in Greek April showers bring forth May flowers. -mid 16th As a tree falls, so shall it lie. -mid 16th As good be an addled egg as an idle bird.

-late 16th As you bake so shall you brew. -late 16th A bad excuse is better than none. -mid 16th The best doctors are Dr Diet, Dr Quiet, and Dr Merryman. -mid 16th As you make your bed, so you must lie upon it. -late 16th or possibly 15th century Be the day weary or be the day long, at last it ringeth to evensong. -early 16th Better a dinner of herbs than a stalled ox where hate is. -mid 16th Better to be an old man's darling than a young man's slave. -mid 16th Better to be envied than pitied. -mid 16th, 5th century BC in Greek Better one house spoiled than two. -late 16th Birds of a feather flock together. -mid 16th A bleating sheep loses a bite. -late 16th The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. -mid 16th Buy in the cheapest market and sell in the dearest. -late 16th Call no man happy till he dies.

-mid 16th A carpenter is known by his chips. -early 16th A cat in gloves catches no mice. -late 16th; 14th century in French A cat may look at a king. -mid 16th Children and fools tell the truth. -mid 16th; late 14th century in French Confess and be hanged. The course of true love never did run smooth. -late 16th Cowards may die many times before their deaths. -late 16th, Shakespeare Cut your coat according to your cloth. -mid 16th Desperate diseases must have desperate remedies. -mid 16th The devil can quote Scripture for his own ends. -late 16th The devil is not so black as he is painted. -mid 16th The devil makes his Christmas pies of lawyers' tongues and clerks' fingers. -late 16th Diligence is the mother of good luck. -late 16th Dirty water will quench fire. -mid 16th Discretion is the better part of valour.

-late 16th Do as I say, not as I do. -early 16th Do as you would be done by. -late 16th Dog does not eat dog. -mid 16th Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. -late 16th Don't cry before you're hurt. -mid 16th century; early 14th century in French Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. -mid 16th; mid 14th century in French A drowning man will clutch at a straw. -mid 16th The end crowns the work. -early 16th The end justifies the means. -late 16th An Englishman's home is his castle. -late 16th; Coke An Englishman's word is his bond. -early 16th Even a worm will turn. -mid 16th Every bulet has its billet. -late 16th; William III Every dog has his day. -mid 16th Every man for himself and God for us all.

-mid 16th Every man for himself and the Devil take the hindmost. -early 16th Every man is the architect of his own fortune. -early 16th Every man to his taste. -late 16th Every man to his trade. -late 16th Every tub must stand on its own bottom. -mid 16th Evil doers are evil dreaders. -late 16th The eyes are the window of the soul. -mid 16th Faint heart never won fair lady. -mid 16th A fair exchange is no robbery. -mid 16th A false confessed is half redressed. -mid 16th Fine feathers make fine birds. -late 16th Fingers were made before forks. -mid 16th The fish always stinks from the head downwards. -late 16th Fish and guests stink after three days. -late 16th A fool and his money are soon parted. -late 16th Four eyes see more than two. -late 16th From the sweetest wine, the tartest vinegar.

-late 16th Give a thing, and take a thing, to wear the devil's gold ring. -late 16th Give the devil his due. -late 16th Go further and fare worse. -mid 16th God helps them that help themselves. -mid 16th; early 15th in French God sends meat, but the Devil sends cooks. -mid 16th Gold may be bought too dear. -mid 16th A golden key can open any door. -late 16th Good seed makes a good crop. -late 16th A grey mare is the better horse. -mid 16th Half a loaf is better than no bread. -mid 16th The half is better than the whole. -mid 16th Handsome is as handsome does. -late 16th Hanging and wiving go by destiny. -mid 16th Happy's the wooing that is not long a-doing. -late 16th Hawks will not pick out hawks eyes. -late 16th He gives twice who gives quickly. -mid 16th He lives long who lives well.

-mid 16th He that cannot obey cannot command. -early 16th He that liveth in hope dances to an ill tune. -late 16th He that will thrive must first as his wife. -early 16th He who fights and runs away, may live to fight another day. -mid 16th Home is home though it's never so homely. -mid 16th Hope deferred makes the heart sick. -early 16th; Bible Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. -mid 16th Hunger is the best sauce. -early 16th If Saint Pauls day be fair and clear, it will betide a happy year. -late 16th If two ride on a horse, one must ride behind. -late 16th If you dont work you shant eat. -mid 16th If you gently touch a nettle itll sting you for your pains; grasp it like a lad of mettle, an as soft as silk remains. -late 16th If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.

-late 16th If youre born to be hanged then youll never be drowned. -late 16th If you run after two hares you will catch neither. -early 16th If you want a thing done well, do it yourself. -mid 16th If you want peace, you must prepare for war. -mid 16th In the country of the blind the one eyed man is king -early 16th It is a poor dog thats not worth whistling for. -mid 16th It is a wise child that knows its own father. -late 16th It is easier to pull down than to build up. -late 16th It is easy to find a stick to beat a dog. -mid 16th It is good to make a bridge of gold to a flying enemy. -late 16th It is never too late to mend. -late 16th It is the first step that is difficult. -late 16th Its an ill wind that blows nobody any good. -mid 16th Its ill waiting for dead mens shoes.

-early 16th It takes two to make a bargain. -late 16th Jove but laughs at lovers perjury. -mid 16th Seek and ye shall find. -early 16th September blow soft till the fruits in the loft. -late 16th Set a beggar on horseback, and hell ride to the Devil. -late 16th The shoemakers son always goes barefoot. -mid 16th Short reckonings make long friends. -early 16th A shut mouth catches no flies. -late 16th Silence is a womans best garment. -mid 16th A slice off a cut loaf isnt missed. -late 16th Small choice in rotten apples. -late 16th Something is better than nothing. -mid 16th The sooner begun, the sooner done. -late 16th Spare well and have to spend. -mid 16th A still tongue makes a wise head. -mid 16th Stretch your arm no further than your sleeve will reach. -mid 16th A tale never loses in the telling.

-mid 16th Tell the truth and shame the Devil. -mid 16th There are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it. -late 16th There goes more to marriage than four bare legs in a bed. -mid 16th There is an exception to every rule. -late 16th There is a time and place for everything. -early 16th There is luck in odd numbers. -late 16th There is nothing new under the sun. -late 16th There is truth in wine. -mid 16th Theres many a slip twixt cup and lip. -mid 16th Theres no fool like an old fool. -mid 16th Theres no place like home. -late 16th Theres none so blind as those who will not see. -mid 16th Theres none so deaf as those who will not hear. -mid 16th They that sow the wind, shall reap the whirlwind. -late 16th Think first and speak afterwards. -mid 16th The third time pays for all.

-late 16th The weakest go to the wall. -early 16th What a neighbour gets is not lost. -mid 16th What cant be cured must be endured. -late 16th What is got over the Devils back is spent under his belly. -late 16th What the eye doesnt see, the heart doesnt grieve over. -mid 16th; earlier in Latin What you dont know cant hurt you. -late 16th When in Rome, do as the Romans do. -mid 16th When one door shuts, another opens. -late 16th When thieves fall out, honest men come by their own. -mid 16th When things are at the worst they begin to mend. -late 16th Where God builds a church, the Devil will build a chapel. -mid 16th Where the carcase is, there shall the eagles be gathered together. -mid 16th While theres life theres hope. -mid 16th Whom the Gods love die young.

-mid 16th Why keep a dog and bark yourself? -late 16th The wish is father to the thought. -late 16th A woman, a dog, and a walnut tree, the more you beat them the better they be. -late 16th A woman and a ship ever want mending. -late 16th century; 2nd century BC in Latin A womans work is never done. -late 16th A word to the wise is enough. -early 16th The worth of a thing is what it will bring. -late 16th You can drive out nature with a pitchfork but she keeps on coming back. -mid 16th You cant make a silk purse out of a sows ear. -early 16th You cant teach an old dog new tricks. -early 16th You cannot have your cake and eat it. -mid 16th You cannot lose what you never had. -late 16th You cannot put an old head on young shoulders. -late 16th You cannot serve God and Mammon.

-early 16th You cannot shift an old tree without it dying. -early 16th Young folks think old folks to be fools, but old folks know young folks to be fools. -late 16th A young man married is a young man marred. -late 16th Young men may die, but old men must die. -mid 16th NOTE: Some of this information can be found in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Proverbs Suggested by the Bible or Suggesting the Bible. D.E. Marvin, comp. 1916. Curiosities in Proverbs D.E. Marvin, comp. Curiosities in Proverbs. 1916. Proverbs Suggested by the Bible or Suggesting the Bible A double-minded man is a post in the mud swinging to and fro. (Telugu). See James i:8; iv:8; Matt. v:24. The proverb is applied not only to men who vacillate but to those who seek personal advantage by trying to follow two opposite courses of action. The word of an unstable man is a bundle of water. (Telugu).

Riding two horses at the same time. (Arabian). Who stands hesitating between two mosques returns without prayer. (Turkish). Do not embark in two boats, for you will be spilt and thrown on your back. (Malayan). All seek their own object. (Sanskrit). See Phil. ii:21; I Cor. x:24, 33; xiii:5. A match will set fire to a large building. (Marathi). See James iii:5. A little fire burns up a great deal of corn. (English). Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled. (Hebrew). More than one war has been kindled by a single word. (Arabian). A little stone may upset a large cart. (Italian, Danish). As a mans heart is so does he speak. (Sanskrit). See Matt. xiii:34, 35; Luke vi:45. That which is in the mind is spoken. (Persian).

If better were within, better would come out. (English). As we are inwardly, so shall we appear outwardly. (Marathi). As the life is, so will be the language. (Greek). As is the king, so will the virtue be. (Telugu). The reference being not to the kings virtue, but to the virtue of his subjects. See Isa. xxiv:2; Jer. v:31; Hos. iv:9. Such a king, such a people. (Latin). Like king, like law; like law, like people. (Portuguese). As the king, so are his people. (Sanskrit). A woman spins even while she talks. (Hebrew). See I Sam. xxv. Abigail sought her own interests while she talked with David. The proverb is not intended to teach feminine industry so much as shrewdness. Blind with both eyes open. (Bengalese). See Mark viii:18; Rom. xi:8.

This proverb is used not so much in referring to people who lack spiritual discernment as in administering reproof to those who, in excess of anger or excitement, do not realize what they are saying or doing. Bread in one hand, a stone in the other. (German). See Matt. vii:7; Luke xi:11. Can water be divided by a stroke? (Tamil). See II Ki. ii:8, 14; Exod. xiv:16, 21; Josh, iii:13, 16. Day and night are one to the Ruler. (Telugu). The reference is to God, the Supreme Ruler. See Ps. cxxxix:12; Heb. iv:13. Do not think today of what you are to eat tomorrow. (Osmanli). See Matt. vi:2534; Luke xii:2230.

See Contradicting Proverbs: Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. You ought not to suffer today the grief which belongs to tomorrow. Enjoy the present time and dont grieve for tomorrow. Who has seen tomorrow? (Persian). This last Persian question is often used as an excuse for indulgence in pleasure. Enough for today is the evil thereof. Tomorrow never comes. Leave tomorrow till tomorrow. (English). Tomorrow will be another day. (Spanish). Tomorrow is a long day. (German). The provision for tomorrow belongs to tomorrow. (Arabian). Avoid inquiring what is to be tomorrow, and whatsoever day fortune shall give you, count it as a gain.Horace. One today is worth two tomorrows.B. Franklin. Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.Quoted by B. Franklin and by Lord Chesterfield. Eat and drink and let the world go to ruin.

(Arabian). See Isa. xxii:13; Luke xii:19; I Cor. xv:32. Either friends like Jobs friends or death. (Hebrew). See Job ii:11. Every Pharaoh has his Moses. (Persian, Osmanli). See Exod. i:1; xv:27. Everything forbidden is sweet. (Arabian). See Prov. ix:17, 18; xx:17. Except the thread of Mary there was none fit for the needle of Jesus. (Persian). A proverb of respect for the Virgin Mary. Father and mother are kind but God is kinder. (Danish). See Ps. xxvii:10; Isa. xl:11; xlix:15. Give to him that has. (Italian). See Matt. xiii:12; xxv:29; Mark iv:24, 25; Luke viii:18. God afflicts those whom He loves. (Persian). See Prov. iii:12; Ps. xciv:12; cxix:75; Heb. xii:6; Rev.

iii:19. Good fruit never comes from a bad tree. (Portuguese). See Matt. vii:1520; xii:33. See also Bible ProverbsNew Testament: The tree is known by its fruit and Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. Good tree, good fruit. (Dutch). One knows the horse by his ears, the generous by his gifts, a man by laughing, and a jewel by its brilliancy. (Bengalese). Will the tigers young be without claws? (Tamil). As the tree, so the fruit. (German). Of a good tree the fruit is also good. (Modern Greek). Good to the good and evil to the evil. (Persian). See Exod. xxi:24, 25; Levit. xxiv:20; Deut. xix:21; Matt. v:3842. 21 Great cry and little wool. (English). See I Sam. xxv.

See also Quotation Proverbs: Mair whistle than woo, quo the sauter when he sheared the sow. This is derived from the ancient mystery of David and Abigail, in which Nabal is represented as shearing his sheep, and the Devil who is made to attend the churl, imitates the act by shearing a hog. Originally the proverb ran thus: Great cry and little wool, as the Devil said when he sheared the hogs.E. Colham Brewer. Hast given (the poor) to eat and to drink, accompany them on their way. (Hebrew). See Gen. xviii:58, 16. This proverb was taken directly from the story of Abrahams treatment of the three angels. He has been weighed in the balances and came out wanting. (Osmanli). See Dan. v:27. He is as poor as Job. (Dutch). See Job i:2022. He is a wolf in lambs skin. (English). See Matt. vii:15.

He sells his friend more easily than the brethren of Joseph sold him. (Arabian). See Gen. xxxvii:2328. He that returneth good for evil obtains the victory. (English). See Exod. xxiii:4; Prov. xxv:21; Matt. v:44; Luke vi:2738; Rom. xii:20. It is easy to return evil for evil; if you be a man return good for evil. (Persian). He that sows iniquity shall reap sorrow. (English). See Job iv:8; Prov. vi:1419; xvi:28; xxii:28; Gal. vi:7, 8. See also Bible ProverbsNew Testament: Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. He that sweareth falsely denieth God. (English). See Exod. xx:7; Levit. vi:3; xix:12; Deut. v:3; Matt. v:33; James v:12. He lives in the land of promise.

(Dutch). See Deut. xxvii:3. He that runs will obtain. (Hindustani). See I Cor. ix:24. He was born with Noah in the ark. (Arabian). See Gen. vi:5; viii:19. This saying is used by the Arabs in referring to any practice or monument of great antiquity. The story of the flood is found in the Koran. He who is not satisfied with the government of Moses will be satisfied with the government of Pharaoh. (Arabian). See Exod. v:21; vi:9; xiii:17; xiv:12; Num. xiv:114; The Acts vii:39. See also Bible ProverbsNew Testament: No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to one and despise the other. This saying has latterly been often quoted to express that those who did not like the Mamelukes must now submit to the still more tyrannical government of Mohammed Aly.J. L. Burckhardt.

Hopes delayed hang the heart upon tender-hooks. (English). See Prov. xiii:12, 13. Human blood is all of one colour. (English). See The Acts xvii:26. Idleness is the root of all evil. (German). See Eccles. x:18; I Tim. vi:10. If God save, who can kill? (Marathi). See Ps. cxviii:6; Rom. viii:31. The reverse of this question is sometimes heard in Western India. When human effort does not avail to save life the people say, If God kill, who can save? If God wont give, how can Solomon give? (Persian). See I Ki. x:129; Job i:21; Ps. civ:135; Eccles. v:18; vi:2. If men had not slept, the tares had not been sown. (English). See Matt. xiii:25. If our predecessors were angels, we are human; if they were human, we are asses. (Hebrew). See Eccles.

vii:10. 41 If you will be great, then be little. (Bengalese). See Prov. xv:33; xviii:12; xix:23; Matt. xvii:4; xx:26, 27; xxiii:11, 12; Mark ix:3337; x:3545; Luke ix:4648; xiv:711; xviii:14. In Golgotha are skulls of all sizes. (Oriental). See Matt. xvii:33; Mark xv:22; John xix:17. In his purse there is the blessing of Abraham the Friend. (Osmanli). See Gen. xii:2; xviii:4; II Chron. xx:7; Isa. xli:8; Gal. iii:14; James ii:23. In the place of beauty, disfigurement. (Hebrew). See Isa. iii:24. In the twinkling of an eye. (English). See I Cor. xv:52.

Father, come; Ill take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye.Shakespeare: Merchant of Venice. 46 In truth they must not eat that will not work in heat. (English). See Gen. iii:19; The Acts xx:3335; I Cor. iv:11, 12; II Cor. xi:9; Eph. iv:28; I Thess. ii:9; iv:11; II Thess. iii:812. Paradise, that was mans storehouse, was also his workhouse. They bury themselves alive that, as body-lice, live on other mens labours; and it is a sin to succour them. Seneca professed that he had rather be sick in his bed than out of employment.John Trapp. 47 Isaiah does not know Moossa, he knows only himself. (Osmanli).

Equivalent to the saying, Every man for himself, which is sometimes lengthened by adding And God for us all, or And the devil take the hindmost, or Quoth Merteine. No such person as Merteine ever lived; he is simply an imaginary man to whom is attributed the authorship of many proverbs both in England and in France. It seemed sometimes necessary to people in olden times to attribute the authorship of a proverb to someone to give it authority or quaintness of expression and Merteine was often selected for the purpose. In the kings court everyone is for himself. (French). At court everyone for himself, Every man is best known to himself. (English). It is easier to turn the tongue than a big ship. (Gaelic). See James iii:4, 5. Jacobs voice, Esaus hands. (German). See Gen. xxvii:22. Jacob did not lament so much as he did. (Persian). See Gen.

xxxvii:34; xlv:28; xlvi:30; xlvii:27. Jesus is a prophet, Moses is a prophet, but the master of all is a club. (Urdu). A club in the sense of forceful speech. Job was not half so patient as we were. (Persian). See Job i:21, 22; ii:9, 10; James v:11. The patience of Job is not easy for every servant.that is, for every servant of God (Osmanli). Sometimes the proverb takes the form of The patience of Job is not easy for every man. Joseph in Egypt is a king. (Persian). See Gen. xli:4045; xlii:6; xlv:8, 26; Ps. cv:21; The Acts vii:10. The Persian word used in this connection signifies not merely a king in a general sense, but it is a common title for the King of Egypt. 54 Judge not a man by his appearance. (Japanese). See Lev.

xix:15; Deut. i:16; I Sam. xvi:7; Prov. xxiv:23; Matt. xxii:16; John vii:24; viii:15; II Cor. x:7; James ii:19. Lean not on a reed. (English). See Isa. xxxvi:6; II Ki. xviii:21; Ezek. xxix:6, 7. Let everyone be content with what God has given him. (Portuguese). See Matt. vi:2534; II Cor. vi:10; Phil. iv:11, 12; I Tim. vi:6, 8; Heb. xiii:5. Let the ass of Jesus go to Mecca; when it returns he will be still an ass. (Persian). See Zech. ix:9; Matt. xxi:111; Mark xi:111; Luke xix:2840; John xii:14, 15.

The Persians also say, The ass of Jesus does not go to heaven. Jack will never make a gentleman. (English). An ape is an ape even though it wear golden ornaments. (Latin). An apes an ape though he wear a gold ring. (Dutch). (Like) the lamentation of Adam on his departure from Paradise. (Arabian). See Gen. iii:2224. Used in referring to unavailing grief as when one is in great mental distress because of the death of a loved one. Man has many devices. (Marathi). See Prov. xvi:9; xix:21. Many things lawful are not expedient. (English). See I Cor. vi:12, x:23. 61 Moses writes so that God alone can read it. (Hindustani). This curious proverb is applied to one whose writing is so poor or illegible that it is practically useless in correspondence. In the original it is a kind of pun, giving one meaning when written and another when spoken.

When spoken it may signify He that writes as fine as a hair, let him come and read it himself. The Behar peasants have the same proverb. Nature teaches us to love our friends; but religion, our enemies. (English). See Matt. v:43, 44. Nimrod can never go to heaven by the wings of vultures, nay by the kick of mosquitoes he will fall to the ground. (Persian). See Gen. x:8, 9; I Chron. i:10. See also Bible ProverbsOld Testament: Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before Jehovah, and Proverbs Suggested by the Bible: There is a gnat for every Nimrod. According to an old tradition, Nimrod built the tower of Babel, which was so high that it is said to have taken a year to reach the top. It is declared that there were three classes of builders among those who were engaged in its construction.

The first said, Let us ascend into the heavens and wage warfare with God; the second said, Let us ascend into the heavens, set up our idols there, and pay worship to them; the third said, Let us ascend into the heavens and ruin the inhabitants thereof with our bows and spears. The Koran informs us that the tower of Babel being destroyed by God, Nimrod planned to ascend to heaven by means of a chest borne by four monstrous birds and contend with the Almighty, but when the chest rose from the earth it wandered about in the air for a time and then fell. Nothing so deaf as an adder. (English). See Ps. lviii:4. Though the adder is not deaf it was regarded in the past as at times devoid of hearing. For centuries men sought to discover some plausible reason for its occasional deafness and the explanations that were given were amusing, in that they were absurd and charged the reptile with causing its own deafness.

The adder, said a twelfth-century preacher, seeketh a stone and layeth an ear thereto, and in the other ear she putteth her tail, and so stoppeth up both. John Trapp held the same opinion, as is seen in his commentary on Psalm lviii:5, for he declared, The serpent here spoken of, when she beginneth to feel the charmer, clappeth one of her ears close to the ground and stoppeth the other with her tail. He referred to Jerome, Austin, and Cassiodorus as agreeing with him, and added that some declared that She doeth this, although by hearkening to the charmer, provoking her to spit out her poison, she might renew her age. George Swinnock gave the same explanation of the serpents deafness as did many others in his day. Matthew Henry rejected the theory calling it a vulgar tradition, but declared that he believed it was generally accepted as true in the time of David and suggested to him the reference in his Psalm.

There is an old superstition that somewhere on every deaf adders body these words may be found in mottled colours: Etymology (Meaning of Words): idiomatic expression, oxford english dictionary, random house dictionary of popular proverbs and sayings Expert: Ted Nesbitt - 9/7/2006 Question I am really sorry to read what you say about a rude questioner, and your unhappy response. If you should have a change of heart, I promise to be eternally grateful--and acknowedge your message. I'd like to know--for background in a story I'm writing--the origin of the term "Let the devil take the hindmost." Answer Dear Maruxa: I don't know if I can tell you the exact "origin" of the phrase, since it most likely was used as an idiomatic expression long before it appeared in print. The following, however, is a great deal of information that I have taken from VERY RELIABLE sources. According to "The Oxford English Dictionary," known as "the bible of the etymological world, the phrase entered written English in the year 1611. It probably was used orally long before that.

Since the "hindmost" is the very end of something, the phrase means that if you are not prompt or are running behind everyone else, you are in trouble -- "the devil may take you." The Phrase Finder at Sheffield University in England is a good source for locating information about unusual sayings. According to their list, "It's every man for himself, and the Devil take the hindmost." Hindmost means, of course, the last in line. If you're in a line being chased by the Devil, then the one he's going to catch is going to be the last in line. It's a way of saying, "Don't be slow, because no one is going to stay behind and save you!" In the United States, the phrase first appeared in 1742 in "The Colonial Record of Georgia." It is part of the proverb 'Every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" (1996) by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).

Here is another statement from Sheffield University: From recollection, I think it may have been a common way of expressing the military order to run away. A 'retreat' is supposed to be a repositioning rearwards in good order, whereas the expression 'every man for himself' gives permission for the unit under command to run away as best they can - a 'rout' - a command that would be most likely given when faced with overwealmingly superior forces, e.g., lightly-armed infantry facing cavalry (prior to the use of a square, unable to form square or without the weapons needed to defend a square). The addition of 'and let the Devil take the hindmost' is giving emphasis to the consequence of not running away quickly enough. If one took the common soldiers' view that they were 'the damned' then saying that the devil would take them the emphasis was simply that they would lose their lives if they were at the back. This would be particularly true if infantry were being pursued by cavalry, who had little hesitation of riding down fleeing men.

Finally, in another sense, the phrase has come to mean "each man should look out for himself and not worry about other people" Upton Sinclair used the phrase in his novel, "The Jungle." It was a war of each against all, and the devil take the hindmost. Jack London also used it in his novel, "The Iron Heel." LAISSEZ-FAIRE, the let-alone policy of each for himself and devil take the hindmost. Ted Nesbitt Ted Nesbitt Expertise I have an interest in the meanings of words and phrases, as well as how and when they became part of the English language. I enjoy researching idioms, colloquialisms, dialects, and obscurities of all kinds. I prefer short questions on a particular subject, and I will not accept lengthy research projects or term papers. NOTE: ALLEXPERTS CLAIMS THAT I TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LATIN AND FROM LATIN TO ENGLISH. I DO NOT. ALLEXPERTS REFUSES TO DELETE THE LATIN-TO-ENGLISH SERVICE -- ONE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE. TRUST ME ON THIS: ALLEXPERTS IS WRONG. I DO NOT TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LANGUAGE.

LOOK FOR A LANGUAGE EXPERT INSTEAD. ETYMOLOGY AND TRANSLATING SERVICES ARE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT. ALLEXPERTS SHOULD KNOW THAT. ALLEXPERTS DOES NOT KNOW THAT. I HAVE TRIED FOR MANY YEARS TO GET THEM TO CHANGE. THEY WILL NOT. SORRY, BUT I DO NOT TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LATIN. Experience I am the bibliographic instruction and reference librarian at a public college. My master's thesis concerns William Faulkner's tragic novels. I formerly taught advanced placement English at two schools in the Philadelphia area. I have been a member of the grammar and writing section of Allexperts for more than a year. Education/Credentials Hindmost - Idioms by The Free Dictionary Hindmost - Idioms by The Free Dictionary Every man for himself (and the devil take the hindmost), and Devil take the hindmost Prov. Everyone has to fight for his or her own survival. (You can use this to describe an extremely competitive situation.) At first we tried to help each other study for the exam, but soon it was every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost.

The inventors tried to collaborate, agreeing to share the profits from their invention, but they grew so suspicious of each other that each began to work separately, and devil take the hindmost. When the ship began to sink, it was every man for himself. See also: every , himself , man every man for himself each person here should do what is best for themselves In the world of politics, it's every man for himself. Usage notes: usually used with it's, as in the example (let) the devil take the hindmost (old-fashioned) something that you say to mean that you should only think about yourself and your own success and not care about other people You've got to be tough to survive in this business - grab what you can and let the devil take the hindmost. See also: devil , hindmost , take devil take the hindmost, the Let everyone put his or her own interest first, leaving the unfortunate to their fate. For example, I don't care if she makes it or not-the devil take the hindmost.

This expression, first recorded in 1608, probably originated as an allusion to a children's game in which the last (coming "hindmost") is the loser, and came to mean utter selfishness. See also: devil , take every man for himself Each individual puts his or her own interests foremost. For example, In this company no one helps anyone-it's every man for himself. In Chaucer's day this dictum was stated approvingly, meaning "if you don't look out for yourself, no one else will," but today such selfishness is usually censured. Despite the wording, the term applies to either sex. the devil take the hindmost Let each person follow self-interest, leaving others to fare as they may. Proverbs Mentioned By Swami Vivekananda ~ Swami Vivekananda Quotes Image source: Wikimedia Commons Along with the prosperity will rise to white heat all the inborn jealousies and hatreds of the human race. Competition and merciless cruelty will be the watchword of the day. To quote a very commonplace and not very elegant English proverb, "Everyone for himself, and the devil take the hindmost", becomes the motto of the day.

[Source] An old proverb of India comes to my mind: "There are hundreds of thousands of teachers, but it is hard to find one disciple." It seems to be true. The one important thing in the attainment of spirituality is the attitude of the pupil. When the right attitude is there, illumination comes easily. [Source] Business is business, in the highest sense, and no friendship — or as the Hindu proverb says "eye-shame" — should be there. [Source] Call often to mind that proverb "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing". (The Imitation of Christ V.5.) [Source] Don't mind these fools; "No fool like an old fool" is the proverb. Let them bark a little. Their occupation is gone. Poor souls! Let them have a little satisfaction in barking. [Source] "He who is very particular gets nothing", says the proverb. [Source] "It is the coward and the fool who says, 'This is fate'" — so says the Sanskrit proverb. But it is the strong man who stands up and says, "I will make my fate." [Source] Knowledge is power, says the proverb, and that is true.

Until you know what the mind is doing you cannot control it. [Source] "Knowledge is power", says the proverb, does it not? It is through knowledge that power comes. Man has got to know. Here is a man of infinite power and strength. He himself is by his own nature potent and omniscient. And this he must know. And the more he becomes conscious of his own Self, the more he manifests this power, and his bonds break and at last he becomes free. [Source] Never mind if your contribution is only a mite, your help only a little; blades of grass united into a rope will hold in confinement the maddest of elephants—says the old proverb. [Source] "One must be a wonderful housekeeper with whom we have never yet lived!" so the Bengali proverb goes. [Source] So universal is this belief, held by Shankara, in the all-inclusiveness of the Vedas that there is even a Hindu proverb that if a man loses his cow, he goes to look for her in the Vedas! [Source] Some of the fundamentals of our reasoning are most curious, in spite of our boast of science and knowledge.

"It is a headache without a head", as the Sanskrit proverb says. [Source] The common proverb in Rajputana is: "The intelligent woman begets the dull son, and the dull woman begets the sharp son". The fact is, whenever any state or kingdom in Rajputana has been managed by a woman, it has been managed wonderfully well. [Source] The jeweller alone can understand the worth of jewels; this is an old proverb. Is it a wonder that this Western sage does study and appreciate every new star in the firmament of Indian thought, before even the Indians themselves realise its magnitude? [Source] There is a proverb in India: "A thousand years a city, and a thousand years a forest." This change of city into forest and vice versa is going on everywhere, and it makes people optimists or pessimists according to the side they see of it. [Source] There is a proverb in our language — If I want to be a hunter, I'll hunt the rhinoceros; if I want to be a robber, I'll rob the king's treasury. What is the use of robbing beggars or hunting ants? So if you want to love, love God.

Who cares for these things of the world? (Original Bengali proverb is— Bengali: "মারি তো গণ্ডার,লুঠি তো ভাণ্ডার") [Source] There is a proverb in our language, "Shall we teach the Architect of the universe how to build?" So those are the highest of mankind who do not work. [Source] There is no hope for money for our project here. It is useless to hope. No large number of men in any country do good out of mere sympathy. The few who really give money in the Christian lands often do so through priestcraft and fear of hell. So it is as in our Bengali proverb, "Kill a cow and make a pair of shoes out of the leather and give them in charity to a Brahmana". So it is here, and so everywhere; and then, the Westerners are miserly in comparison to our race. I sincerely believe that the Asians are the most charitable race in the world, only they are very poor.

(by "here" Vivekananda meant the United States) [Source] We are having a nice time here except, as an old Hindu proverb says, that "a pestle must pound even if it goes to heaven". I have to work hard all the same. I am going to Chicago in the beginning of August. When are you starting? (From a letter written to F. Leggett from New York, dated 18 June 1895) [Source] We have a proverb here: "One river is equal to forty miles". [Source] We must be bold enough, must be brave enough to speak of their defects, but at the same time we must give the credit that is due to them. Remember the old English proverb, "Give every man his due". [Source] When the germ of every Aryan science is found in the Vedas and every step of any of those sciences can be traced with exactness from the Vedic to the present day, what is the necessity for forcing the far-fetched suggestion of the Greek influence on them? "What is the use of going to the hills in search of honey if it is available at home?" as a Sanskrit proverb says.

[Source] This page was last updated on: 15 April 2014, 5:12 pm IST (UTC+5:30 hours) Number of revisions in this page: 1

Question: According to the proverb every man for himself, and the Devil take what?
Answer: the hindmost